Wasteland Survival Guide - Part 8

Steps

Install the processor widget in the RobCo production facility mainframe.

Return to Moira.

RobCo Widget

Now, there's only two more things left to do. Then, we're finally done dealing with Moira's epic side quest. We chose the option to go to the RobCo factory nearby to install a piece into the mainframe computer there so that Moira can study various robots and machines in the factory. What's more, she encourages you to do this so you can have access to all of these robots as well. It's beyond us why she thinks we would even want these robots, but regardless, we've come this far. We might as well finish the job, right?

The RobCo facility is southwest of Megaton, and it's a bit of a walk getting there. Unless you've been there before, you're going to have to manually walk from Megaton (or a spot closer, if applicable). For the sake of this, however, we'll be assuming you're coming from Megaton. Strap yourself with a weapon and begin heading in a westerly, southwesterly direction (remembering that your compass will have a marker pointing you in the right direction as long as this is your active quest on Pip-Boy). En route, you should encounter some simplistic enemies (at least initially), including RadScorpions, Bloatflies and Mole Rats. Nothing you can't handle. Remember -- if enemies are especially easy for you to slay, consider switching to a melee weapon (like the trusty Chinese Officer's Sword) to save precious ammunition.

As you get more and more into the no-man's land between Megaton and the RobCo facility, you'll likely start encountering more difficult enemies. As far as organic enemies are concerned, well-armed Raiders and strong mutated animal foes named Yao Guai will be standard fare (make sure to scour the latter's corpses when slain to get its valuable meat, which you can use or sell later). You will also likely run into robotic enemies like Protectrons, so deal with them en route.

If you take a certain route, you should run into the Fairfax Ruins, an abandoned series of buildings crawling with enemy Raiders. This is an advantageous place to run into not only to add it to your map for later, but because you can use it to have a midway point to teleport back to should you find yourself in trouble, in need of healing, or simply want to get rid of the goods you've been collecting thusly. Otherwise, a continuance of your westward/southwestward journey should ultimately run you smack dab into the RobCo factory you seek (ROBCO will be on the side of the building in huge letters). When you arrive, feel free to teleport back to Megaton to heal yourself, get rid of goods or purchase anything you need. Then, teleport back and head into the building itself.

As long as you don't start running around loudly or shooting your gun, you should be able to enter RobCo relatively undetected. This initial room has four off-shoots to it, but let's search the two on the left first to immediately get them out of the way. Both of these rooms on the left are gross, disgusting and dimly-lit bathrooms which hold an unusual amount of healing items. Search the sinks and toilets in both to find RadAway, a Stimpak and some Rad-X, as well as more useless items like a Plunger and some Scrap Metal. You can also do some additional searching near the desk at the top end of the room. A Toy Car and a plethora of Books can be found. Search the medical kit for another Stimpak and some Dirty Water before proceeding.

The next room you'll want to explore simply for items (because it's a dead end otherwise) is the room on the left side, next to the doors to the bathroom. You'll find all sorts of items if you carefully scour the area, and you might even find more items on downed Protectrons if you look hard enough for them. It's also at this point that enemies like Radroaches and Mole Rats will make themselves seen (you've likely heard them scurrying around up to this point). Holster your firearms and use melee weapons on them to save ammunition. As far as items are concerned, expect to find a lot here. As for the items you can find? A thorough exploration will find lots of goods, including (but not nearly limited to) a Stealth Boy, more Stimpaks, 5mm Ammo, 5.56mm Ammo, Sensor Modules, Conductors, Steam Gauge Assemblies and more. Search it in its entirety before proceeding!

Now, go into the only yet-unexplored area of the RobCo facility on the right side of the building's initial room. This area is separated into two major areas -- the area below and around the metal staircase leading up, and the area (the cafeteria) which the staircase ultimately leads up to. First, explore the lower area, since the cafeteria holds our objective here, while the area around the stairs simply holds items for you to grab. A Big Book of Science, some Purified Water, a Stimpak, a Bottlecap Mine and a Steam Gauge Assembly are among the more valuable things you should find, but keep an eye out to find some lesser items like a Stealth Boy, Conductor and more as well.

Now, head up the stairs and follow either branching corridor to reach the building's cafeteria (you'll be killing plenty of Radroaches and Mole Rats en route, but you probably already realized that). This area is incredibly vast and holds a maddening amount of items (if you're thorough, you're probably going to have to leave and come back two or three times to unload all of your crap). Plenty of food items, like YumYum Deviled Eggs and Salisbury Steaks can be found, as well as valuable sellable items, like more Steam Gauge Assemblies and Cartons of Cigarettes. Oh, and plenty of ammunition, also.

The room you're looking for is up a series of staircases from the cafeteria/offices section, however, and that's what you're going to want to seek out when you have had enough of goods collecting. Of course, some more goods collecting can be done up here (the DC Journal of Internal Medicine is a must-grab), but the large red-hued computer terminal in a central room once up the stairs completely holds the key to this leg of our extended side quest. Examine the terminal to insert the module given to you by Moira, and then quickly disarm yourself of your melee weapon in lieu of something stronger, like an Assault Rifle. Then, turn your ire on the Protectron that springs to life in the room you're in before you gather your thoughts.

Skilled hackers can then hack the computer to control the robots and put an end to the madness you just created, but everyone else is going to have to leave shooting. This is actually not a bad thing, since the Protectrons you've awakened not only carry plenty of laser ammo, but extremely valuable Fission Batteries as well, which you should scour off of their bodies as you leave the building running-and-gunning. Once you get outside (alive), you should instantly transport yourself back to Megaton.

Once in Megaton, unload the rest of the crap you found that you don't want so you can stockpile some Bottle Caps, and then give Moira the good news about your adventures in the robotic factory. Most impressed with what you managed to do, Moira will give you four Pulse Grenades to add to your inventory -- powerful weapons, indeed! If you managed to the optional hacking objective, then expect an even better prize as well! Now, there's only one more thing to do, and then the guide is finally done.

You've seen a lot of books on your journey; most of them completely destroyed beyond recognition. But it's a place called a library that Moira tells you about that will truly have your interest piqued. In this library, you should be able to find plenty of information pertinent to her finishing her book. And there's more good news too. Since the library she wants you to head to is the objective point of a couple of other side quests (unlike, say, the bottling factory we just explored), this is going to be a quick in-and-out operation. You can scour the location for goods at another time... you probably just want to get this side quest over with by now (at least, we do!)